Shark Facts

  • Sharks are fish belonging to a group called Elasmobranchs, including skates and rays, which have existed over 400 million years.
  • Elasmobranchs are different from other fish because they have skeletons made out of cartilage (not bone like other fish) and gill slits (other fish have a cover over their gills called an operculum).
  • There are around 450 different species of sharks with more still being discovered.
  • The largest shark is the Whale Shark reaching up to 32 ft. The smallest is the Dwarf Lantern Shark, which full grown is around 8 in.
  • Sharks can live anywhere from 15 to 100 years old depending on the species.
  • Sharks have a few hundred teeth in their mouth at any given time. Since they are keen predators they actively replace old teeth with new ones. It is estimated that a shark may go through around 35,000 teeth in their lifetime.
  • Different species of sharks will have different shaped teeth depending on what they eat. Pointy teeth help sharks like the Mako catch fast moving fish in the open ocean, jagged serrations help the Tiger Shark cut as it bites through hard shells like sea turtles, and nurse sharks have small backward facing hooked teeth to help grip onto their prey.
  • Not only do sharks have teeth in their mouth, but they have teeth-like scales all over their skin! These scales, called dermal denticles, cover the shark’s body and can feel like sharp rough sand paper to our biologists if handled without protection.
  • Any animal with a mouth can bite and sharks are no exception. Sharks, being carnivorous will sometimes investigate humans they might encounter. Since the shark has no instinct of what a human is, they must do what all animals would when encountering possible new prey… taste it. However, since sharks are not hunting for people, the vast majority of attacks are a single bite.
  • The ocean is a wild habitat, no matter where you are, but there are things you can do to minimize risks. Swim in the guarded area and swim with a buddy. Daytime is ideal as sharks and other predator mainly hunt at dawn and dusk. Clear water is the best. If the water is murky with low visibility a shark is more likely to confuse a human with a prey item.

Sharks Gallery

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    Rental Procedure:

    Cost / payment

    A $50 non-refundable deposit is due the day of the site meeting. Payment must be in the form of cash, check or credit card. Checks must be payable to: Sandoway Discovery Center. The cost of the room is $50 per hour. WE have no minimum requirement but our maximum capacity is 30 people.

    Parking

    Parking is located off of Ingraham Ave. on the south-side of the Center. Please make sure to get a parking pass from the attendant inside the Center to leave on the dashboard of your car. Free parking is provided for a limited number of cars. We only have 10 spaces in our parking lot. Carpooling is highly recommended.

    Additional policies
    • It is the group’s responsibility to set-up before and clean-up after the facility rental, during the permitted rental time.
    • Due to limited space, groups will not be allowed to store items for the event at the facility prior to or after the event.
    • Food/Drink is allowed ONLY in the permitted room.
    • Groups may not nail, staple, or alter any walls, doors or any area of the facility. Please report any damaged equipment prior to start of birthday party.
    • The facility only provides the permitted space, (8) 6”x2.5” tables and (30) chairs. All other items, such as food, decorations, and supplies, must be provided by the user. Sorry, the facility does not have a kitchenette or items such as tape, utensils, copy machine, cooler, etc. available for use.
    Cancellation policy

    Cancellation of a facility rental more than 10 days in advance shall be refunded the $50 deposit in full (please allow 3 weeks for reimbursement). Cancellation of a facility rental less than 10 days in advance will not be given a refund, but will be allowed to reschedule within 90 days.

    Directions from the north:

    I-95 to Atlantic Ave.

    East on Atlantic to A1A (S. Ocean Blvd.)

    South (right) on A1A, 2 blocks past Sandoway Park sign.

    Then right onto Ingraham Ave and turn right into lot.

    Direction from the south:

    I-95 to Linton Blvd.

    East on Linton to A1A (S. Ocean Blvd.)

    North (left) on A1A to Ingraham Ave.

    Make a left onto Ingraham Ave. and immediately turn right into our lot.

    Building rules
    • Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
    • No running
    • No yelling or disruptive behavior
    • No gum anywhere in the building
    • No climbing or standing on the exhibits or railings
    • No tapping on animal enclosure or tanks
    • Shirt and shoes required

    Sandoway Discovery Center Birthday Party Rental Policies and Procedures

    Birthday Party Procedure:

    Cost / payment

    A $100 non-refundable deposit is due the day of the site meeting. Payment must be in the form of cash, check or credit card. Checks must be payable to: Sandoway Discovery Center. Individual fee payment is due on the day of the party and is $10 per person. We require a minimum of 10 individuals in a party group and our maximum is 30 people which includes children and adults!

    Parking

    Parking is located off of Ingraham Ave. on the south-side of the Center. Please make sure to get a parking pass from the attendant inside the Center to leave on the dashboard of your car. Free parking is provided for a limited number of cars. We only have 10 spaces in our parking lot. Carpooling is highly recommended.

    Direction from the south:

    I-95 to Linton Blvd.

    East on Linton to A1A (S. Ocean Blvd.)

    North (left) on A1A to Ingraham Ave.

    Make a left onto Ingraham Ave. and immediately turn right into our lot.

    Directions from the north:

    I-95 to Atlantic Ave.

    East on Atlantic to A1A (S. Ocean Blvd.)

    South (right) on A1A, 2 blocks past Sandoway Park sign.

    Then right onto Ingraham Ave and turn right into lot.

    Cancellation policy

    Cancellation of a party more than 10 days in advance shall be refunded the $100 deposit in full (please allow 3 weeks for reimbursement). Cancellation of a party less than 10 days in advance will not be given a refund, but the group will be allowed to reschedule within 90 days.

    Building rules
    • Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
    • No running
    • No yelling or disruptive behavior
    • No gum anywhere in the building
    • No climbing or standing on the exhibits or railings
    • No tapping on animal enclosure or tanks
    • Shirt and shoes required
    Additional policies

    It is the group’s responsibility to set-up before and clean-up after the party, during the permitted rental time.

    • Due to limited space, groups will not be allowed to store items for the event at the facility prior to or after the event.
    • Food/Drink is allowed ONLY in the permitted room.
    • Groups may not nail, staple, or alter any walls, doors or any area of the facility. Please report any damaged equipment prior to start of birthday party.
    • The facility only provides the permitted space, (8) 6”x2.5” tables and (30) chairs. All other items, such as food, decorations, and party supplies, must be provided by the user. Sorry, the facility does not have a kitchenette or items such as tape, utensils, copy machine, cooler, etc. available for use.

    Membership Has Its Perks!

    Enjoy an Annual Membership to Sandoway Discovery Center!
    Members receive free admission, in addition to members only discounts.

    FREE ADMISSION

    Enjoy for one full year
    FREE admission to the nature center for one year plus discounts on special events and birthday party bookings.

    15% GIFT SHOP SAVINGS

    Find special gifts
    Your new membership package includes a variety of Sandoway swag in addition to a 15% discount in our gift shop all year long.

    SPECIAL INVITATIONS

    Be a VIP with Sandoway
    You'll receive invitations to
    special programs and member-only events throughout the year.

    DECK84 DISCOUNTS

    Delicious waterside dining
    Save 20% off your check at Deck84 located on the intracoastal in Delray.

    SURF SHACK - 15% OFF

    Delicious food and smoothies
    Take 15% off your entire check at Surf Shack Subs, Smoothies and Bowls throughout the year.

    DELIVERY DUDES

    Get instant food to your door
    Take $5 off on every order through Delray Delivery Dudes with your Membership Card.

    10% OFF POPCORN

    Tasty treats for less
    Take 10% off your entire purchase at the Original Popcorn House of Delray Beach.

    $2 OFF SILVERBALL

    Enjoy arcade savings
    Receive $2 off your entry to the Silverball Pinball Museum in downtown Delray Beach.

    DELRAY BEACH TOURS

    Experience the history
    Save $2.00 off every ticket purchased for the Delray Beach Historical Tour.